50 meals you can prep ahead of time
Between school drop-offs, pets that need walking, and long work days, our already full plates are simply overflowing these days—which means some items on those pesky to-do lists, like prepping lunches or cooking dinner, will fall by the wayside. But just because our schedules are jam-packed, that doesn't mean we can't have homemade lunches and dinners every day of the week; it just requires a little planning ahead of time.
Below, Stacker compiled a list of 50 meals you can prepare in advance from Allrecipes. From breakfast casseroles to freezer-friendly dinner entrees, these easy recipes will ensure there's always something delicious to eat in your home, no matter how pressed for time you may be.
Nana's Green Chile Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 casserole
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Angel's Old Fashioned Beef Stew
- Prep: 1 hr
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Sous Vide Egg Bites
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Awesome Ham Pasta Salad
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Total: 27 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal
- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Angela's Awesome Enchiladas
- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 5 enchiladas
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Asparagus Mushroom Strata
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Homemade Lox
- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 2 days 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 2 days 1 hr 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs 30 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Chicken Pot Pies with Puff Pastry
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 24 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Shredded Beef Enchiladas
- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Clark's Quiche
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 2 (9 inch) pies
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Baked Ziti
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal)
- Prep: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Bacon Brunch Casserole
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Additional: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 20 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Healthy Ham and Egg Muffins
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Slow Cooker Oats
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Egg White Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9X13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Farmer's Casserole
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 2-quart casserole
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 6
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Freeze-and-Reheat Breakfast Burritos
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Chef John's Cheese Blintzes
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 10 or 12 blintzes
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here
Pumpkin Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Apple Raisin French Toast Strata
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Lorne-Style Fresh Breakfast Sausage
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Susie's Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Make-Ahead Manicotti
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Make-Ahead Baked Egg Sandwiches
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 sandwiches
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Raw Chia 'Porridge'
- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Make Ahead Lunch Wraps
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 wraps
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Ratatouille
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 4
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Chia Oats
- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Breakfast Strata
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Eggnog French Toast
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Oats Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 bowls
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Elegant Brunch Chicken Salad
- Prep: 30 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Bake
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Orange Pecan French Toast
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 55 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Overnight Light PB&J Oats
- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Oven-Baked Caramel French Toast
- Prep: 9 hrs
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 20 mins
- Total: 10 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Ham and Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Freezer-Friendly Frittata
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 frittata squares
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Make-Ahead Breakfast Bars
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 8x11-inch dish
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Southwest Breakfast Burritos
- Prep: 50 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 5 mins
- Servings: 20
- Yield: 20 burritos
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats
- Prep: 5 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 12 ounces
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Eggs Benedict Casserole
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 9 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
